Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 25) — The Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday that at least 90 public schools have been included so far in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes on Nov. 15.
DepEd hopes to eventually include 100 public schools and 20 private schools in the test run in areas identified as low-risk for COVID-19.
“Makukumpleto natin ‘yung 100 public schools, dahil even as may nag-back out, mayroon naman na sulat nang sulat sa akin na mga mayors at parents na gusto nila ang face-to-face, ” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones in a Palace briefing.
[Translation: We will be able to complete the 100 public schools soon, because even if some have backed out, I’ve been receiving letters from mayors and parents who wish to have face-to-face classes.]
The agency said the participating schools are from the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
The pilot test will be done in kindergarten, grades 1 to 3, and technical-vocational programs in senior high school. Classes will be held for half a day and will be conducted every other week.
“Yung face-to-face na ini-envision natin ay iba sa face-to-face na nakasanayan natin […] Kung mayroong mga developments na bigla na hindi natin inaasahan, ay talagang ititigil agad ‘yan,” said Briones.
[Translation: The face-to-face classes that we envision will be different from what we used to have […] If there are unexpected developments, we will have to halt the implementation.]
DepEd assured that safety precautions will be observed in the pilot test, noting that 93.2% of school personnel in the 90 public schools are already vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Of course, there is a preference and parents have also expressed that they would want vaccinated staff and teachers to attend to their children,” said Briones.
DepEd earlier pushed for the acceleration of vaccination of school teachers and personnel and would submit to the National Task Force the list of its unvaccinated teachers and workers.
Briones said the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes is not only a responsibility of the DepEd and the Department of Health.
“May mga instances tayo na mga bata, iilan lang naman, na naka-catch ng COVID ay hindi galing sa school, kundi sa bahay, sa transportation, at sa ibang sources. Lahat ay kailangan mag-cooperate, hindi lang ito sa Department of Education at Department of Health,” she added.
[Translation: There were some instances that some children caught COVID-19 not in school, but in their homes, in public transportation, and other sources. Everyone should cooperate because this is not just a responsibility of the Department of Education and the Department of Health.]
“Ang DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) ay kasali dito, dahil malaki ang interes ng local governments dahil sa kanilang mga teritoryo gagawin ang pilot.”
[Translation: The DILG is also included here. They have a huge stake because the pilot tests will be conducted in their areas.]
Meanwhile, limited face-to-face classes in select college programs have begun early this year.
Meanwhile, Briones said that the pilot test for private schools will be on Nov. 22.
